Good afternoon and happy Fri-yay TMS families! Spring Break has a way of arriving right when it is needed most. It also gives us a chance to step back and recognize the steady growth our students have made over the course of the year. What can feel like small, everyday progress really adds up, and it is impressive to see how much our students have matured both in and out of the classroom.

Middle school is a unique season of life, and it moves quickly. The simple, everyday interactions often end up meaning the most. Whether the week ahead is busy with activities, filled with travel, or a little quieter at home, I hope it provides an opportunity for your family to recharge and enjoy some unhurried time together.

When students return, we will pick back up with IAR Math testing. They have approached this experience with focus and a positive mindset so far, and we look forward to seeing that continue. Helping students arrive rested and ready each day makes a meaningful difference in how they perform.

As we move into the final portion of the school year, we will continue reinforcing what it means to be respectful, responsible, and kind. These Guidelines for Success are more than just words we use at school. They shape how students treat one another, how they approach their learning, and how they carry themselves each day.

Thank you for the role you play in supporting your child and our school community. Your partnership matters and helps create a strong, positive environment for all of our students.

I hope Spring Break brings a good balance of rest, connection, and a little fun along the way.

Roll Thunder!

Reminder about Food/Drink at TMS

1. Parents are welcome to drop off lunch only for their own child - not a group.

Parent deliveries should be brought to the main office.
Food and beverages may only be provided for your individual student. For example, a pizza cannot be purchased for a group of students. And students are not permitted to use apps to have food delivered during the school day.

2. We WILL NOT accept or sign for delivered lunches for students
If there is an emergency situation and you need to send something for your student, please get in touch with the main office with details so they don't turn away the delivery driver. 331-228-3100

Thank you for helping us ensure our school day runs smoothly and with little disruption!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are halfway through the IAR state testing. When we return from break, we will complete the Math portion of the IAR. Please see the following dates below:

IAR Math will be on Tuesday, April 7th - Thursday, April 9th
Illinois Science Assessment for 8th graders will be on Tuesday, April 21st

Please note that we will be running building wide schedules on the IAR testing days. Please click here to access a letter from the Director of Assessment and Accountability. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s counselor. Thank you.

Summer is just around the corner and we are busy planning our summer athletic camps. Our camps will offer a variety of opportunities for students to improve their skills and have fun in six different sports! All summer athletic camps will be facilitated by Thompson Middle School coaches. Students will participate in a variety of skill-building activities and will be introduced to the same plays and philosophies that they will use when participating in middle school athletics. The philosophy of our camps is simple: have fun, improve skills, and learn good sportsmanship!

State legislation requires that all Illinois children in Sixth Grade will have a dental examination. A licensed dentist must perform the examination, and he or she shall sign the form. Dental offices should have the form available, but it is also available online at www.d303.org under Departments, then Health Services, then “Health Documents and Forms”. Each 6th grade student must present proof of a dental examination by a dentist prior to May 15, 2026. The exam must be dated within 18 months prior to May 15, 2026. If your child has had an exam already, you can ask your dentist to complete the form for the exam.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has established a waiver for children who show undue burden or lack of access to a dentist. Parents or legal guardians who object to the dental examinations on religious grounds shall present to the school a signed, detailed statement of the objection.

The deadline is quickly approaching! Please submit this if you have not already done so. You can Email it to TMSC-Nurses@d303.org

If you have any questions, please contact the TMS nurses:

Diane Isbrandt RN, Certified School Nurse

Amy Kashuba, RN

Stephanie Ross, RN

Thompson Middle School

331-228-3104

Food for Thought...

With new opportunities for spring sports beginning, remember that hard work and consistency pay off. When running a race or playing a sport, the easiest thing to do when you are not winning is to give up, but giving up is NEVER an option!

Eyes up…focus on those in front of you.
Breathe deep…stay in control.
Keep pushing…finish strong.

Winners are not the ones who win every race or every game. Winners are the ones who put in the work and never give up! Keep your focus!

The mathematical portion of the IAR will be implemented on April 9th, 10th, and 11th.

Testing Tips:

Read the question, review the question, go back to the question if you are unsure.
There is a limited amount of time, so do not spend too much time on a question.
Deep breathing: Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
Take a deep breath in between each question or problem.
Take a drink of water which will be a sensory feeling for your body.
Take a break…put your head down for 1-2 minutes or go for a walk to collect yourself.
Think positively! You’ve got this!

Have a safe and fun spring break! Thank you for being a part of our educational team!

Board Nominations NOW OPEN

Our PTO is made up of elected Board members, dozens of committee chairs, Thompson administration, teachers, staff, and many dedicated volunteers—all working together to support our school community. Board positions are open to parents, guardians, and staff, and we encourage anyone interested in getting more involved to consider this opportunity.

Whether you would like to serve or know someone who would be a great fit, we invite you to submit a nomination.

A member of the Nominations Committee will follow up with all nominees to confirm their interest and answer any questions about the role.

Important Dates:

• Nomination Deadline: April 13, 2026

• Election Day: May 12, 2026

(Held during the final PTO meeting of the year – attend in person or via Zoom)

Nominee Requirements:

• Must be in good standing with the D303 school district

• Must adhere to PTO bylaws

Submit nominations HERE

Questions: Please contact Jaclyn Vazquez (jaclynvasquez@yahoo.com or 815-343-7489)

Thank you for helping us continue to build
a strong and supportive PTO community!

Help Us Collect ONE MILLION Pop Tabs!

We’re on a mission to collect one million pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities, and we can’t do it without YOU (and your grandparents, cousins, neighbors, and carpool crew)!

Those tiny aluminum tabs from soda cans, soup lids, or sparkling water may seem small—but when we collect them together, they add up to real support for families with seriously ill children.

Here’s how to pitch in:

Save your pop tabs at home—and ask your grandparents, cousins, friends, and neighbors to do the same!
Bring them to school all year long.
Every tab brings us closer to our 1,000,000-tab goal!

Let's pull together and make a difference!

The St. Charles Park District is excited to extend a fun, local fundraiser that offers our students and families great pricing for Otter Cove Aquatic Park or Swanson Pool admission.

During the month of April (April 1-30), you can pre-purchase day passes at the resident rate, $13 per visit. The Park District is offering the same rate to all families (Park District resident and nonresident) during this program in honor of our cooperative partnership with D303.

$1 from every day pass sold will come back to Thompson PTO.

During check out, you can choose whether the passes will be delivered to your student at school or available to pick up at Pottawatomie Community Center. Passes will be valid for this summer only and non-replaceable (so should be treated like cash). Passes will be available for pick up at PCC and distributed to schools around May 15th.